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Dreaming of a better future

The site of pro-democracy protesters resting on their highway, blocked off by barricades, is one we now almost take for granted in Hong Kong. A first time visitor might not be able to imagine that this currently serene and peaceful spot was one of the main traffic routes less than a month ago.

I wish I could have been there to witness protesters spilling onto the road because they felt they had no better alternative to voice their demands. The sound of the collective sounding of commuter horns must have been pretty exhilarating to the ears of the students. I’m amazed they have managed to stay this long after subsequently being exposed to tear gas, pepper spray, charging police and possibly most annoyingly of all, getting soaked to the bone during hours of heavy rain followed by passing gusts of cool wind – and then blazing sun.

My journey to work does take longer these days, but I love my commute, walking in an area that has now come to represent what Hong Kong is about, for me at least. And long may it last.

Pro-democracy protesters protect themselves from the sun on the side of a flyover near the government headquarters in Hong Kong on September 29, 2014. Hong Kong police said on September 29 tear gas was deployed “87 times” in clashes with pro-democracy protesters on September 28 as they defended their controversial use of force against crowds in the usually stable city. AFP PHOTO / ANTHONY WALLACE

Pro-democracy protesters sleep on a flyover in Hong Kong on October 3, 2014. Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong scuffled with police outside government headquarters as tensions ran high October 3, despite an eleventh-hour agreement for talks, as China said the demonstrators were “doomed to fail”. AFP PHOTO / ANTHONY WALLACE

A pro-democracy protester working as medical volunteer sleeps in a makeshift supplies area on a flyover in Hong Kong on October 3, 2014. Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong scuffled with police outside government headquarters as tensions ran high October 3, despite an eleventh-hour agreement for talks, as China said the demonstrators were “doomed to fail”. AFP PHOTO / ANTHONY WALLACE

Pro-democracy protesters sleep in their makeshift supplies outlet on a flyover in Hong Kong on October 3, 2014. Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong scuffled with police outside government headquarters as tensions ran high October 3, despite an eleventh-hour agreement for talks, as China said the demonstrators were “doomed to fail”. AFP PHOTO / ANTHONY WALLACE

A man walks past a group of pro-democracy protesters sleeping on a flyover in Hong Kong on October 3, 2014. Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong scuffled with police outside government headquarters as tensions ran high October 3, despite an eleventh-hour agreement for talks, as China said the demonstrators were “doomed to fail”. AFP PHOTO / ANTHONY WALLACE

Pro-democracy protesters sleep on a flyover in Hong Kong on October 3, 2014. Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong scuffled with police outside government headquarters as tensions ran high October 3, despite an eleventh-hour agreement for talks, as China said the demonstrators were “doomed to fail”. AFP PHOTO / ANTHONY WALLACE

Pro-democracy protesters rest on a flyover in Hong Kong on October 3, 2014. Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong scuffled with police outside government headquarters as tensions ran high October 3, despite an eleventh-hour agreement for talks, as China said the demonstrators were “doomed to fail”. AFP PHOTO / ANTHONY WALLACE